The Hartford, a leading provider of disability insurance, has committed to invest the funds into Move United over three years.

Move United, a non-profit organisation devoted to the promotion of Para sports, has a long-standing partnership with The Hartford.

"We are on a mission to increase participation in adaptive sports by making competitions, local events and equipment more accessible to youth and adult athletes," said Claire Burns, chief marketing and communications officer for The Hartford.

"Adaptive athletes pay approximately 15 times more for equipment than non-adaptive athletes and we are committed to helping remove cost as a barrier to participation.

"We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Move United which creates opportunities for thousands of adaptive athletes to experience the life-changing power of sports."

The Hartford has donated more than 5,000 pieces of Para sports equipment in more than 40 communities over the past five years in partnership with Move United.

The Hartford’s Adaptive Sports Competition Series features five events across the country and includes custom equipment donations, the Human Achievement award and meet and greets with champion Para Athletes.

All five competitions, sanctioned by Move United, provide more than 2,000 youth and adults with disabilities the opportunity to compete in 15 Para sports, participate in learning clinics and receive national classification.

"The Hartford holds a unique and long standing allyship with the adaptive sports community," said Move United's executive director Glenn Merry.

"There is really no other partner who could assume such an integral leadership role in driving access to equipment and competition for our athletes.

"The impact from this commitment is that fewer people with disabilities will be left on the sidelines, and that means a new generation of athletes will experience how sports make you more."